Columnist Eugene Robinson believes semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15 have no business in civilian hands? The merchants who defended their lives and stores during the Los Angeles riots might beg to differ.

Mr. Robinson also would have readers believe ARs are more dangerous than "other" guns. In actuality, virtually every handgun sold in the past three decades is also semi-automatic and able to accept ammunition magazines containing dozens of bullets.

And contrary to what his column implies, the AR-15 does not fire "large-caliber" rounds. Rather, it fires a diminutive 5.56mm bullet. For comparison, the average deer rifle shoots a 7.62mm (.30-caliber) bullet, and the average handgun shoots 9mm and 10 mm (.38- and .40-caliber) bullets.

Is it any wonder we don't believe the "fake news" pushed by "journalists" as fact?

Lloyd Forrester, Simi Valley

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